Another PCMC official added, “There are 5.08 lakh properties registered with the department as of now. Around 1.19 lakh property holders paid tax totalling Rs101 crore in cash. Another 38,500 property holders paid Rs 139 crore as tax until now.”

Explaining the reason for an increase in tax collection, he said, “PCMC has sent notices to 80,000 properties owners, who owe arrears of over Rs 5,000. The defaulters must clear their arrears within 15 days or their properties would be seized. Each of the department’s 16 divisional offices have formed teams that will seal the properties if the arrears aren’t paid. Almost all the defaulters have cleared their arrears.”

The official said that the department will keep its offices open on March 31 until 6pm or until every person in the queues is able to pay the amount due as property tax.